Self Careapist Therapist: Expert Insights & Practical Therapy Skills

In this compelling episode of The Self Careapist Podcast, Dr. Maylin Griffiths, a clinical psychologist and founder of the Arizona Pediatric Assessment Center, joins Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, to demystify the misunderstood profile of Pathological Demand Avoidance/ Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA).

Dr. Griffiths explains how PDA often hides behind misdiagnoses like ODD or ADHD and share actionable tips for therapists conducting assessments and collaborating with school systems. She emphasizes the role of curiosity in assessments and valuable resources for clinicians and families.

Notes:

• Curiosity drives effective assessment practices.
• Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a unique profile that requires specific strategies.
• Social strategies can be misinterpreted as manipulative behavior.
• Strengths of PDA kids include creativity and leadership skills.
• Collaboration among professionals is vital for comprehensive assessments.
• Shift from “manipulation” to “equalizing” when thinking about client behavior

Links:

Arizona Pediatric Assessment Center

Navigating PDA in America

PDA North America

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Assessment in Psychology
02:57 The Role of Assessments in Therapy
06:05 Understanding ODD and ADHD
08:56 Exploring Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
12:00 Key Components of PDA
14:58 Social Strategies and Coping Mechanisms
18:09 The Impact of Autonomy on Behavior
20:43 Role-Playing and Social Strategies
23:43 Fixation and Its Effects
25:46 Understanding PDA and Autism Profiles
28:23 Navigating Social Dynamics and Self-Identification
30:09 Strategies for Effective Communication
36:13 Managing Demands and Autonomy
39:24 The Role of Sensory Sensitivities
44:15 Strengths and Unique Abilities of PDA Kids
45:46 Resources for Clinicians and Families
47:45 The Importance of Collaborative Assessments

Continuing Education: Many episodes offer a free CEU for licensure in Arizona through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Content is relevant for continuing education across LCSW, LMHC, LPC, LMFT, NCC, NBCC, and psychology licensure.

Subscribe and leave a review — it helps other therapists find the show.

Not sure where you're stuck clinically? Take the free Stuck Point Quiz at lorainmoorehead.com/quiz and get resources matched to your answers.

Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly, therapist-to-therapist conversation hosted by Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Guests include psychologists, researchers, and the developers of the clinical models they teach, with practical takeaways for every level, from intern to clinical supervisor. Many episodes offer a free CEU for Arizona licensure through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

New episodes every other Wednesday. If this episode was useful, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other therapists find the show.

In this episode, Lorain Moorehead sits down with Patricia Dobratz, JD, LMFT, a former prosecutor turned LMFT clinical supervisor, to explore ethical gray zones, common regulatory mistakes, and the evolving role of supervision in clinical practice. This episode offers insight into how to protect your license, your clients, and your professional growth whether you're a student, therapist, practice owner or in an adjacent profession. And highlights that often ethical missteps come from a lack of answers and supports rather than intention.

Patricia shares guidance on building systems that support ethical decisions, creating separation between administrative and clinical supervision, understanding licensing compacts, and the future of behavioral health.

Episode Highlights:

• [10:15] Ethical challenges in modern clinical practice
• [20:00] Support systems for clinicians and supervisors
• [30:00] The evolving role of clinical supervision
• [40:00] Future trends in behavioral health: AI, intensives & compacts
• [45:00] Documenting critical incidents to protect your license
• [50:00] Supervision as professional development, not just licensure
• [52:00] Lifelong learning, consultation, and avoiding stagnation

Resources Mentioned:

• Clinical Best Practice Institute
• Not Your Typical Therapy Conference
• NBCC CE's
• Lorain Moorehead’s Clinical Supervision & Consultation

Not sure where you're stuck clinically? Take the free Stuck Point Quiz at lorainmoorehead.com/quiz and get resources matched to your answers.

Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly, therapist-to-therapist conversation hosted by Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Guests include psychologists, researchers, and the developers of the clinical models they teach, with practical takeaways for every level, from intern to clinical supervisor. Many episodes offer a free CEU for Arizona licensure through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

New episodes every other Wednesday. If this episode was useful, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other therapists find the show.

In this first solo episode of The Self Careapist Therapist Podcast, I'm diving into the treatment of high achievers and entrepreneurs and some of the common symptoms they may experience, including ADHD, depression, anxiety symptoms and imposter syndrome.  I detail how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing can be a helpful treatment modality, as well as the course of training to begin using EMDR as a therapist.  

You’ll also hear how the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model rewires the brain to replace “I’m not enough” with a grounded sense of capability.

I close with my own self care framework that can be used for you or for your clients, to help get closer to alignment.  You can find the link to your copy of the framework to work through on your own here.

For more details on EMDR Certification.

For details on EMDR Consultation.

A great basic training for EMDR. 

Continuing Education: Many episodes offer a free CEU for licensure in Arizona through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Content is relevant for continuing education across LCSW, LMHC, LPC, LMFT, NCC, NBCC, and psychology licensure.

Subscribe and leave a review — it helps other therapists find the show.

Not sure where you're stuck clinically? Take the free Stuck Point Quiz at lorainmoorehead.com/quiz and get resources matched to your answers.

Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly, therapist-to-therapist conversation hosted by Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Guests include psychologists, researchers, and the developers of the clinical models they teach, with practical takeaways for every level, from intern to clinical supervisor. Many episodes offer a free CEU for Arizona licensure through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

New episodes every other Wednesday. If this episode was useful, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other therapists find the show.

What is Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy and why does it matter?
In this deeply moving episode of The Self Careapist Podcast, Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, sits down with Dr. Sonya Lott, grief therapy expert and affiliate of the Center for Prolonged Grief, to explore Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). You’ll learn what PGD is, how it’s diagnosed, and why so many therapists and clients miss the signs.

Whether you’re a therapist, a grieving human, or someone supporting others through loss, this conversation offers transformative clarity, heartfelt compassion, and actionable insight. Dr. Lott breaks down the evolution of grief language, explains why the five stages of grief model is outdated, and shares a roadmap for evidence-based grief therapy.

You’ll learn:

• What defines Prolonged Grief Disorder and how it differs from depression or PTSD
• How to assess PGD using validated tools like the Inventory of Complicated Grief
• The structure of Prolonged Grief Therapy (PGT) and its roots in CBT and attachment theory
• Why grief-specific training is essential for today’s therapists
• Where to access free and low-cost PGD training and resources

Dr. Lott also shares how therapists can protect their own emotional energy while holding space for sorrow and why this work is sacred.

Listen now to discover how Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy is helping us conceptualize how to understand loss and how you can integrate these vital tools into your work and life.

Resources mentioned:

• Center for Prolonged Grief
• Caring Connections – University of Utah
• Article
• Dr. Sonya Lott's website
• The inventory of complicated grief

Continuing Education: Many episodes offer a free CEU for licensure in Arizona through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Content is relevant for continuing education across LCSW, LMHC, LPC, LMFT, NCC, NBCC, and psychology licensure.

Subscribe and leave a review — it helps other therapists find the show.

Not sure where you're stuck clinically? Take the free Stuck Point Quiz at lorainmoorehead.com/quiz and get resources matched to your answers.

Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly, therapist-to-therapist conversation hosted by Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Guests include psychologists, researchers, and the developers of the clinical models they teach, with practical takeaways for every level, from intern to clinical supervisor. Many episodes offer a free CEU for Arizona licensure through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

New episodes every other Wednesday. If this episode was useful, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other therapists find the show.

In this episode, Lorain speaks with Dr. Liz McIngvale; the co-founder of new mental health training app MHNTI, the director of the OCD Institute of Texas, and adjunct faculty at Baylor College of Medicine. A nationally and internationally recognized authority on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Dr. McIngvale has published over 35 peer-reviewed journal articles, multiple textbook chapters and is a sought-after contributor to national expert panels, media, and conferences. This episode packs a punch, describing the importance of proper training when it comes to treating OCD, the importance in not using "OCD" casually to describe preferences, and gives the low down on the evidence based treatment for OCD,  Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).  She details her own OCD journey and how it has allowed her to dedicate her career to the treatment advancement of OCD research. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to OCD and Its Impact
03:00 Personal Journey with OCD Treatment
05:46 Understanding ERP and Training in OCD Treatment
09:05 The Launch of Menti: A New Training Resource
11:35 Defining OCD: Misconceptions and Realities
14:48 Subtypes of OCD: Understanding Variability
17:28 Improving Clinical Practices for OCD Treatment
20:16 Understanding OCD Assessment and Measurement
22:31 Risk Factors in OCD Treatment
23:48 The Importance of Values-Based ERP
27:11 Aligning Treatment with Patient Values
29:47 Resources for Finding Qualified OCD Providers
32:11 Leveraging Technology in Mental Health Care
37:21 Self-Care Strategies for Clinicians and Patients

Links from the Episode:

Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)
Dr. Bruce Perry

Dr. Jon Abramowitz

MHNTI

Continuing Education: Many episodes offer a free CEU for licensure in Arizona through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Content is relevant for continuing education across LCSW, LMHC, LPC, LMFT, NCC, NBCC, and psychology licensure.

Subscribe and leave a review — it helps other therapists find the show.

Not sure where you're stuck clinically? Take the free Stuck Point Quiz at lorainmoorehead.com/quiz and get resources matched to your answers.

Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly, therapist-to-therapist conversation hosted by Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Guests include psychologists, researchers, and the developers of the clinical models they teach, with practical takeaways for every level, from intern to clinical supervisor. Many episodes offer a free CEU for Arizona licensure through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

New episodes every other Wednesday. If this episode was useful, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other therapists find the show.

In this episode, Lorain sits down with Dr. Marni Feuerman, LCSW, LMFT, clinical psychologist and author of Ghosted and Breadcrumbed to explore different approaches to couples therapy including the two she's highly trained in--Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman.  We cover the key tenants of both approaches, how to get started with them, as well as attachment styles and chemistry.  Dr. Feuerman is a self-proclaimed therapy nerd and was able to give some key insight into how she has used her endless curiousity to expand and establish her career. 

Time stamps:
00:00 Journey Through Couples Therapy Training
02:52 The Evolution of EFT and Its Applications
05:44 Experiential Learning in Therapy
08:35 Initial Sessions and Assessment Strategies
11:38 Integrating Individual and Couples Therapy
14:33 The Role of Writing and Public Speaking in Therapy
17:33 Understanding Relationship Patterns and Solutions
31:03 Reverse Engineering Relationships
32:57 Understanding Attachment Styles
34:24 The Role of Chemistry in Relationships
39:17 Navigating Initial Attraction
43:50 Continuous Learning for Therapists
47:25 Practical Steps for Aspiring Therapists

Key References from episode:

Attachment Theory in Practice

The New Marriage Clinic

Ghosted and Breadcrumbed

Becoming Attached

The Talking Solution- Dr. Feuerman's Psychotherapy Practice

Dr. Marni

Continuing Education: Many episodes offer a free CEU for licensure in Arizona through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Content is relevant for continuing education across LCSW, LMHC, LPC, LMFT, NCC, NBCC, and psychology licensure.

Subscribe and leave a review — it helps other therapists find the show.

Not sure where you're stuck clinically? Take the free Stuck Point Quiz at lorainmoorehead.com/quiz and get resources matched to your answers.

Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly, therapist-to-therapist conversation hosted by Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Guests include psychologists, researchers, and the developers of the clinical models they teach, with practical takeaways for every level, from intern to clinical supervisor. Many episodes offer a free CEU for Arizona licensure through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

New episodes every other Wednesday. If this episode was useful, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other therapists find the show.

This episode was timed the week of Dr. Aaron Brinen's new book, Living Well with Psychosis.  One of the lines I liked in his book is "in order to talk about Living Well, we have to talk about living," and, we do! From developing goals and aspirations to supporting and encouraging the family, and discussing how to incorporate activity, and plenty of it, we cover some key elements of treating psychosis in addition to discussion about how to support some of the specific obstacles that our clients living with psychosis may be facing.  We talk about the development of the Recovery-Oriented Cognitive model in collaboration with Aaron T. Beck, the father of cognitive psychology.

If authoring books is in your future, we also get some unexpected gems about the process and considerations of writing!

Dr. Brinen's supportive and optimistic attitude as well as his mention of the need to advocate for our clients dealing with psychosis make this a hopeful informative listen, and I think you'll find some takeaways to consider whether you are new to this treatment population or have been treating psychosis for decades. 

To access a copy of Living Well with Psychosis

To access the activity tracker we discussed in the episode

If you're interested in learning more about CT-R

Continuing Education: Many episodes offer a free CEU for licensure in Arizona through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Content is relevant for continuing education across LCSW, LMHC, LPC, LMFT, NCC, NBCC, and psychology licensure.

Subscribe and leave a review — it helps other therapists find the show.

Not sure where you're stuck clinically? Take the free Stuck Point Quiz at lorainmoorehead.com/quiz and get resources matched to your answers.

Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly, therapist-to-therapist conversation hosted by Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Guests include psychologists, researchers, and the developers of the clinical models they teach, with practical takeaways for every level, from intern to clinical supervisor. Many episodes offer a free CEU for Arizona licensure through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

New episodes every other Wednesday. If this episode was useful, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other therapists find the show.

Melissa Lapides, LMFT (@getsecurelyattached) discusses the profound effects of complex trauma, particularly in early childhood, and how it manifests in adult relationships. She emphasizes the importance of understanding attachment theory and how early experiences shape our emotional responses and relationships. Melissa shares her personal journey of healing from trauma and the significance of trauma-informed care in therapy. The discussion also touches on the role of attachment in relationships with pets and the importance of co-regulation. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for deeper understanding and healing of attachment wounds to foster healthier relationships.

Whether you're a therapist who is hearing more curiosity about the impact of complex trauma from your clients, or a person making their own connections about your early experiences, this is a great episode.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Complex trauma is often misunderstood and widespread.
• Trauma is about the impact of events, not the events themselves.
• Adaptive mechanisms from childhood can become harmful in adulthood.
• Boredom can be a sign of peace, not dysfunction.
• Healing from trauma is possible at any age.
• Trauma-informed care emphasizes being present with clients' pain.
• Clients are the experts of their own experiences.
• Attachment styles significantly influence adult relationships.
• Co-regulation is essential in relationships with pets.

Resources:

The Attachment Project

Thomas Zimmerman (boat metaphor)

Continuing Education: Many episodes offer a free CEU for licensure in Arizona through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Content is relevant for continuing education across LCSW, LMHC, LPC, LMFT, NCC, NBCC, and psychology licensure.

Subscribe and leave a review — it helps other therapists find the show.

Not sure where you're stuck clinically? Take the free Stuck Point Quiz at lorainmoorehead.com/quiz and get resources matched to your answers.

Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly, therapist-to-therapist conversation hosted by Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Guests include psychologists, researchers, and the developers of the clinical models they teach, with practical takeaways for every level, from intern to clinical supervisor. Many episodes offer a free CEU for Arizona licensure through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

New episodes every other Wednesday. If this episode was useful, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other therapists find the show.

For the therapist who might incorporate a DBT skill here or there but has always wondered what else there is to know...

In this conversation, Dr. Kiki Fehling a clinical psychologist and Dialectical Behavior Therapy Certified researcher discusses her journey into Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), its structure, and its application, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community. She explains the importance of consultation teams, the role of mindfulness, and the dialectical approach of acceptance and change. Dr. Fehling shares insights on key DBT skills, such as distress tolerance and opposite action, and highlights the goal of building a life worth living. The discussion also touches on self-care techniques and resources for clinicians interested in DBT.

We left you on a a cliffhanger, but the show Dr. Kiki enjoyed and recently finished was...drumroll please...Dying for Sex.

Takeaways:

• DBT was created to help those struggling with BPD and suicidality.
• The therapy consists of individual sessions, skills groups, phone coaching, and consultation teams.
• Consultation teams provide essential support for DBT therapists.
• DBT is effective for various mental health issues beyond BPD, including anxiety and PTSD.
• Mindfulness skills help individuals reconnect with their emotions and identities.
• Dialectics emphasizes that acceptance and change can coexist.
• The goal of DBT is to help clients build a life worth living.
• Distress tolerance kits are practical tools for managing crises.
• Opposite action is a powerful skill for changing unhelpful emotional responses.
• Self-validation is crucial for personal well-being and self-care.
• Using Skillfull Means to become aware of the being mind vs. the doing mind

Keywords:
DBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mental Health, LGBTQIA+, Coping Skills, Mindfulness, Self-Validation, Consultation Teams, Emotion Regulation, Therapy Techniques

For More Information, check out:
https://www.kikifehling.com/
Want to learn more about DBT?
Self Directed DBT Skills Workbook
DBT Skills Training Manual- Dr. Marsha Linehan

And, the book Dr. Fehling is reading is Queer Dharma...
Skillfull Means

00:00
Introduction to DBT and Dr. Kiki Fehling

01:53
Understanding DBT: Structure and Purpose

04:54
The Importance of Consultation Teams in DBT

07:46
DBT's Application in the LGBTQIA+ Community

10:48
Key DBT Skills for Coping with Minority Stress

13:42
Mindfulness and Non-Judgment in DBT

18:29
Dialectics: Acceptance and Change in Therapy

23:05
Building a Life Worth Living with DBT

26:20
Creating a Distress Tolerance Kit

31:58
Utilizing Opposite Action in Coping Strategies

39:19
The Fluidity of Self-Exploration and Change

40:05
Resources for Learning DBT

42:49
Encouragement for Clinicians to Share Knowledge

51:29
Self-Care Techniques and Recommendations&

Not sure where you're stuck clinically? Take the free Stuck Point Quiz at lorainmoorehead.com/quiz and get resources matched to your answers.

Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly, therapist-to-therapist conversation hosted by Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Guests include psychologists, researchers, and the developers of the clinical models they teach, with practical takeaways for every level, from intern to clinical supervisor. Many episodes offer a free CEU for Arizona licensure through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

New episodes every other Wednesday. If this episode was useful, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other therapists find the show.

Summary
In this conversation, I have the pleasure of talking with Paris Goodyear Brown about the development and principles of her model Traumaplay, an integrative approach to play therapy that addresses the needs of families and children who have experienced trauma. The discussion covers the evolution of Traumaplay, the importance of attachment relationships, and the integration of various therapeutic models. Paris emphasizes the significance of assessment techniques, how she has integrated these principles at Nurture House, and the role of parents in the therapeutic process, and the necessity of self-care for therapists working with trauma.

Takeaways
Trauma play is an integrative approach to therapy.
Children communicate through play, which is their primary language.
Delight is crucial for healthy child development.
Assessment in trauma play serves as an intervention.
Parents need support and skill-building in their roles.
Understanding a child's grief is essential for effective therapy.
Therapists must embody nurturing roles for parents.
Wish fulfillment in play can help children process trauma.
Self-care practices are vital for therapists' well-being.
Therapeutic relationships are built on trust and understanding.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Trauma Play Model
02:25 The Evolution of Trauma Play
05:12 Integrative Play Therapy Approaches
08:28 Research and Learning in Trauma Play
11:12 Dyadic Assessment Techniques
13:59 Parenting Skills and Psychoeducation
16:58 The Role of the Therapist
20:17 Self-Care Practices for Clinicians

Resources Mentioned in Episode:
Traumaplay Certification Process

Books: 

Parents as Partners in Child Therapy

Big Behaviors in Small Containers

Polyvagal Power in the Playroom
Parent Child Interaction Training (PCIT)

Jessica Stone, PhD

Garry Landreth, PhD

Sue Bratton

Dee Ray

Charlie Schaeffer

Continuing Education: Many episodes offer a free CEU for licensure in Arizona through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Content is relevant for continuing education across LCSW, LMHC, LPC, LMFT, NCC

Not sure where you're stuck clinically? Take the free Stuck Point Quiz at lorainmoorehead.com/quiz and get resources matched to your answers.

Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly, therapist-to-therapist conversation hosted by Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDRIA Approved Consultant. Guests include psychologists, researchers, and the developers of the clinical models they teach, with practical takeaways for every level, from intern to clinical supervisor. Many episodes offer a free CEU for Arizona licensure through the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

New episodes every other Wednesday. If this episode was useful, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps other therapists find the show.